Which three Japanese men will go to Sochi?

Well, there is a thread for Japanese ladies, so why not a thread for Japanese men?
You can express who are going / who would you like to go.
For me it seems Daisuke and Yuzuru are pretty much promised, then I hope Tatsuki to go according to this summer's his progress.

Well, there is a thread for Japanese ladies, so why not a thread for Japanese men?
You can express who are going / who would you like to go.
For me it seems Daisuke and Yuzuru are pretty much promised, then I hope Tatsuki to go according to this summer's his progress.

I like the three you mentioned, however, I would also like to see Kozuka go. No matter what happens, it will be heartbreaking :(

From all countries Japan is in worst position as they have so many really talented male singles skaters... Impossible to predict who might be the third skater, but Takahashi and Hanyu surely are the first and second to go to the Olympics.

This is one of those moments when I wish other countries could adopt one or more of the Japanese men.

Oh, I think germany could do that! Oda won Nebelhorn here the last 2 years anyway - see, he feels comfortable here already

But, on a serious note - I'm really afraid of how the japanese nats are going to turn out. I love all 6 of the japanese top men, and I'll be sad for everyone who stays home. My guess would still be Dai + Yuzu + Kozu, though.

Mathil on Yuzuru Hanyu Cheer Thread on FSU explained why there is only a slight chance Hanyu won't go to Sochi.
Thanks to mathil.

As of now, considering JSF's criteria of selection, he could already qualify as third entry:

" The third entry is selected among the player who leaked out from the 2nd selection, the upper three Japanese of world standing in the time of the end of Japan Nationals and the upper three Japanese of ISU season best score. "

However things go this season, considering his current world standing (#1) it is unlikely he will drop under Machida (#7), who is the third of the upper three in WS, by December.

I was wondering if this is why he was sent to Finlandia Trophy. I went to Dreams on Ice this summer. Unlike past years this summer DOI feautured mainly young skaters of the next generation after Sochi, and Hanyu was the center of it. I felt JSF officials and the people who managed shows already had a huge expectation on him by the way they were watching him. But it's only my speculation and guess, and there's no evidence or proof for them. I may be wrong.

I was wondering if this is why he was sent to Finlandia Trophy. I went to Dreams on Ice this summer. Unlike past years this summer DOI feautured mainly young skaters of the next generation after Sochi, and Hanyu was the center of it. I felt JSF officials and the people who managed shows already had a huge expectation on him by the way they were watching him. But it's only my speculation and guess, and there's no evidence and proof for them. I may be wrong.

I think Takahashi just opted out of DOI, knowing that Hanyu will take the center stage. He is a very proud man who is obsessed with the "ace of Japan" title. Asada skipped this event in past three years. I suspect she has a contract with IMG to do so in a way to raise the value of THE ICE. So is Kozuka.